Spade-handle massaging device



D. CLARKE Aug. 23, 1938.

SPADE HANDLE MASS AGING DEVICE Filed July 2, 1957 w wN i [N VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 23, 1938 UNITED sTAres rarest OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention aims to provide a simple means whereby a person can applymassaging pressure to his own back, or, if desired, to the back ofanother person, although the article is intended.

'.: primarily to be used on the back of the operator.

The invention aims to provide a novel handle structure adjustable toassume different positions on an arm, the construction being such thatthe operator can attain a secure hold on the handleand vary the pressurewithout discomfort to his hand. The invention aims, further, to providenovel means for connecting the body-engaging element with the arm.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and toenhance the utility of.

devices of that type to Which the present invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in View, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within thescope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows in side elevation, a device constructed in accordance withthe invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan;

Fig. 3 is a section taken through the handle block.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a handle block Iprovided nearer to its outer end than to its inner end with atransversely elongated opening 2, defining a knuckle rest 3, at theouter end of the block, and a pressure table 4 at the inner end of theblock, upon the upper surface thereof.

In the upper surface of the handle block I, at one longitudinal edge ofthe block, and at one end of the pressure table i there is a thumb seat5, a. seat ii for the little finger of the operator being disposedopposite to the thumb seat 5.

An outer guide I is mounted on the knuckle rest 3, and an inner guide 8is secured to the handle block I, on the pressure table 4. The guides "Iand 8 are disposed nearer to that longitudinal edge of the block I whichhas the thumb seat 5 than to the opposite edge.

There is an opening 9 in the inner guide 8, receiving the bend I6 of aspring shim II bearing on the straight part I2 of a resilient arm I4having a portion I5 which is curved in a direction at an angle to theplane defined by the handle block I. Accidental detachment of the arm I4from the guides 'I and 8 is prevented by a stop is on the straight partI2 of the arm I4, the stop being adapted to engage the outer guide I.

A securing element H, such as a bolt, passes through the extremity ofthe curved portion I5 of the arm I6, and through the crown of an archedbracket I8, a wing nut I9 being threaded upon the bolt, and the wing nutbeing adapted to engage the under surface of the bracket I8. The bracketI8 is terminally secured to the rigid back 2! of a brush 2|, it beingunderstood that the brush 2| shown in the drawing need not necessarilybe used. Any suitable body engaging member, used either hot or cold, andfixed or rotatable, may replace the brush 2|.

In practical operation, the block I, which resembles a spade handle, isshifted along the straight part I2 of the arm I4, until the brush 2| orits equivalent is so located that it may be applied to the part of theback of the operator which is to be massaged. The spring shim II holdsthe handle block I in any position to which it may have been adjusted,longitudinally of the straight part I2 of the arm I4.

The operator inserts his first finger through the opening 22 whichexists between the part I2 of the arm I 4 and the adjacent side portionof the handle block I, the second and third fingers of the operatorbeing inserted through the opening 23 which exists between the straightpart E2 of the arm I4 and that edge of the handle block which has theseat 6. The first, second and third fingers of the operator are presseddown on the table 4, the little finger of the operator being placed inthe seat 6, and the thumb of the operator being placed in the seat 5.When the handle block I is held in this way, the knuckle rest 3 exerts avery light pressure on the knuckles of the operator, even though astrong downward pressure is exerted on the handle block I at its innerend. What little pressure is exerted on the knuckles is relieved by acushion 24, made of sponge rubber or the like, secured to the handleblock I and extended into the opening 2 and along the undersurface ofthe knuckle rest 3.

The operator does not have to rely on the spring shim II, solely, as ameans for preventing relative movement between the handle block I andthe arm I4. If desired, the second finger of the hand of the operatormay be placed on the straight part I2 of the arm I4, a little in advanceof the inner guide 8.

The resilient arm I4 affords a means whereby Ill the brush 2| or itsequivalent may be yieldably pressed upon the back of the operator. Thebrush or its equivalent may be adjusted at any angle with respect to thelength of the arm M by loosening the wing nut I9 and turning the bracketE8, along with the brush 2! or its equivalent, on the bolt H, the wingnut I9 being tightened to hold the parts in any positions to which theyhave been adjusted. l The device is simple in construction, but Wi befound thoroughly advantageous for the ends in View, as set forth in theopening portion of this specification, and as ascertained in practicaluse.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a massaging device, a handle having an opening for the receptionof the fingers of an operator, an arm, means? associated with the handlefor mounting the arm on the handle for longitudinal adjustment withrespect -to the handle, the arm extending" across the opening, and abody engaging member assembled with the arm.

2. In a massaging device, a handle having an opening for the receptionof the fingers of an operator, the opening defining a knuckle rest atthe outer end of the handle and a pressure table at the inner end of thehandle, the handle being provided with thumb and little finger seatslocated in the longitudinal, outer edges of the handle and leading tothe table, an arm, means associated with the handle for mounting the armon the handle for longitudinal adjustment with respect to the handle,the arm extending across the opening, and a body engaging memberassembled with the arm.

3. A massaging device, constructed as set forth in claim 1, incombination with guides on the handle and receiving the arm forlongitudinal adjustment, and a spring shim carried by one of respect tothe handle, the arm extending across the opening, a knuckle cushioncarried by the knuckle rest and located at the opening, and a bodyengaging member assembled with the arm.

DUMONT CLARKE.

